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To Be The Best - Barbara Taylor Bradford [1991]
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Disappointing - Review contains details of the movie!
Review date: 2008-01-15 Rating: 2 out of 10
I was a big fan of BTB's Emma Harte triology (OK, now 6 books) - with are all fantastic! The Woman of Substance film was great, it followed the plot of the book reasonably well. However, I found the third installment most disappointing, as it greatly deviates from, and even cheapens, the premise of the third novel.
The story of the film is much different from the book, and not in the usual book-to-movie amendments that would be expected. Alexander Barkstone has been made into a bumbling fool who contributes to the weakening the Hartes stores through an "un-Sandy like" trait of excessive gambling, Shane O'Neill is a territorial, arrogant, dominant male who now begrudges his wife's work (and his hotels have become a 'middling' concern), and her brother Philip O'Neill is a chauvinist pig. The story line of the novel was replaced with fist-fights and gunplay as would be expected in a third rate Bond movie without gadgets or fun toys, and very unnecessarily so. There was a suicide, the injuring of a child through rampaging horses, assassination attempt, and two murders (I know - wrong book to base this movie on!!). The story focuses on Jonathan Ainsleys masterminding of Paula O'Neils downfall - while he is tricky in the book by buying Hartes shares he is more opportunistic and not the puppet master. There is no mention of Emily or the Kallinskis - the role of Ronald Kallinski instead taken on by Hartes head of security played by Anthony Hopkins (although in a more cloak-and-dagger manner and always good for added sexual tension), and cousin Sarah is back on the scene with a bitchy vengance. And what on earth is going on with Paulas hair??
While I understand the need for simplifying the story I dont feel that there was any need to deviate as far from the book as this film has. Its almost like it was rewritten to entertain the boys who are watching by proxy - though it fails in that as well! In summary, I was very disappointed as it could have been a much more entertaining film. While the acting and casting was passable, and the locations realistic, the plot leaves very much to be desired.
Similar Products
- Hold The Dream - Barbara Taylor Bradford [1986]
- A Woman Of Substance - Barbara Taylor Bradford [1988]
- Barbara Taylor Bradford's Voice Of The Heart [1989]
- Barbara Taylor-Bradford - Remember
- Barbara Taylor Bradford's Act Of Will [1989]
Reviews
Something To Remember
Review date: 2005-02-01 Rating: 8 out of 10
The legend of Emma Hart continues in this third instalment of Barbara Taylor Bradford's smash hit To Be The Best.
It leaves the simple but breathtaking views of Yorkshire behind and settles amongst the glamour, corruption, and power, in Tokyo.
It has been some years since the beautiful and immensely powerful Paula O'Neil (now played by Lindsay Wagner) banished her traitor cousins Sarah Lowther (Claire Oberman) and Jonathon Ainsley (Christopher Cazenove) from the powerful Harte family for cheating her beloved grandmothers world dominating empire. But now she faces fresh threats from her vindictive and egotistical cousins, Jonathon has his sights set on claiming a considerable amount of the Hartes shares and it seems that no-one will prevent him from owning the family empire he was excluded from.
Also starring Anthony Hopkins as Jack Figg, Paula's head of security. To Be The Best promises to be one of the best sequels ever created from the hand of a truly inspirational novelist.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Stephanie Beacham
Lindsay Wagner
Anthony Hopkins
Stuart Wilson (II)
Christopher Cazenove
Creators:
Lindsay Wagner (Primary Contributor)
Anthony Hopkins (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Odyssey Video
Manufacturer: Odyssey Video
EAN: 5018011200147
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2003-02-24
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 186 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1992-08-02
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Original Language)